Tibetan 20-Year-Old Self-Immolates in Sichuan

A 20-year-old Tibetan woman set herself ablaze on Tuesday in China's western Sichuan province, in an apparent protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.

Witnesses reported that the woman, identified as Jugtso, died at the scene .

Her body was taken to a local monastery, where monks carried out prayers and rituals for the deceased. Hundreds of local community members are reported to have gathered near Jugtso's home in preparation for her cremation.

She was married and had a three-year-old child.

Last month, a mother of four set herself alight in a similar protest against what Tibetans say is Chinese repression of their culture. China denies the charges and calls the suicide acts terrorism.

Since February 2009, more than 100 Tibetans have self-immolated reportedly to protest Chinese rule, with another two self-immolations motivated by property rights issues.